Electrical Help in My Garage

[kimber_da]

Here's the deal. I am getting a welder (after 6 years of waiting) but I don't have 220V in my garage. My Breaker box is in the garage and I have never messed around in it more than resetting tripped breakers. I want to put an outlet about 25 FT from the box. My question is this: How many amps should I make the circuit handle? I want to be able to use a Mig and stick (if need be) welder. The welder isn't going to be huge, maybe a middle of the road Hobart of sorts. Any help is greatly appreciated. I'm sure I'll have more questions. Thanks in advance.

[ono_55]

50amp breaker should take care of it.

[kimber_da]

Cool. Thanks for the help. Now i just need to figure out which welder I need.

[ono_55]

Forgot to add need to run 6 gauge wire for 50amps

[Gamble]

DO NOT...I REPEAT DO NOT JUST PUT A FIFTY AMP BREAKER IN YOUR PANEL AND RUN JUST ANY WELDER. I have been in the electrical field for going on 12 years, and been a master for 8 yrs of that. If you want to do it right, go find the welder you want to use and put in the electric to accomodate the welder. Most medium duty welders only require 30 amps overcurrent protection, so if you put a 50 amp circuit in, you are just asking for stuff to not work out right in the event of an electrical issue. Feel free to hit me up on here if you have further questions, but please dont just pick a random breaker size and put it in, not to mention, you are going to spend a lot more money for a 50 amp breaker and the correct wire size for that than you would a 30 or 20amp and the wire that is properly sized for it. good luck

[rinnels69]

Ditto what Gamble said--except for the electrician part--but I did work with 2 electricians for 2.5 years and a master electrician for 1.5 years. Wait until you get the welder and then get the right size breaker and plug. Run #8 THHN fror the 30 amp and #6 for the 50...if you get a unit that big. And when you do put the breaker in the the panel, figure out what side has the least amount...add up the breaker numbers and put your new one on the side with the least...not a must do, but it doesn't hurt. When I retire from the USAF in about a year or so, I'm going to school to be an electrician....Just my 2 cents.....

Gamble...please correct me if I'm wrong!!!

[Gamble]

Welders can usually be derated on wire size based on article 630.11 of the nec 2008 code book. This is because of the duty cycle of the welders, but you still have to wire it up in accordance with the particular welder that you buy, not just a shot in the dark and hope you get it right. I hope these posts have been/will be helpful.(both mine and rinnels)